[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/when-are-nursing-homes-liable-for-injuries-from-falls\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/when-are-nursing-homes-liable-for-injuries-from-falls\/","headline":"When are Nursing Homes Liable for Injuries from Falls?","name":"When are Nursing Homes Liable for Injuries from Falls?","description":"Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of this, nursing homes and other assisted living facilities have a duty to help protect elderly individuals from increased risks of falling. Any failure to do this, could make the facility responsible […]","datePublished":"2023-05-15","dateModified":"2026-03-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/#Person","name":"D Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/","identifier":11,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"D\u2019Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/stairs-feet-shoes-go-stairs-down-e1684531934687.jpg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/stairs-feet-shoes-go-stairs-down-e1684531934687.jpg","height":425,"width":910},"url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/when-are-nursing-homes-liable-for-injuries-from-falls\/","about":["Nursing Home Abuse"],"wordCount":657,"articleBody":"Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of this, nursing homes and other assisted living facilities have a duty to help protect elderly individuals from increased risks of falling. Any failure to do this, could make the facility responsible for injuries caused by falling.If your loved one was injured or killed because of a fall in a nursing home that could have been prevented, you may have legal options. Contact the trusted team of nursing home neglect attorneys at D\u2019Amico Pettinicchi Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to learn more.The Duty of Nursing Homes To Prevent FallsNursing home residents are ensured certain\u00a0rights and freedoms\u00a0that nursing homes must provide. This includes the right to care and safety that is appropriate for each resident\u2019s needs. This requires that nursing home facilities asses each resident\u2019s fall risk and put together an appropriate care plan to prevent falls in high-risk patients.If a nursing home fails to provide safeguards for residents, fails to correct a hazard or otherwise does not provide a safe environment for its residents, the facility has failed in its duty to protect its residents and could potentially be held liable for any resulting injuries.Situations of Negligence that Could Lead to FallsWhile some falls are accidental and unavoidable, many can be prevented with proper care and attention. Some situations in which a nursing home\u2019s negligence may result in falls include:UnderstaffingWhen a nursing home is\u00a0understaffed, residents may not be monitored as they should be. This could lead to residents attempting to handle tasks on their own that they usually would require help with, such as getting out of bed or using the restroom. This can significantly increase a resident\u2019s risk of falling and suffering an injury.Poor TrainingIf a nursing home\u2019s staff is not properly trained on how to monitor patients who are at risk for falls or if they do not know how to safely transfer residents, patients are at risk of falling.Problems Transferring ResidentsA nursing home resident may need to be transferred out of his or her bed into a wheelchair or vice versa. Likewise, he or she may need to be transferred from a wheelchair to a toilet or shower stall. If the nursing home staff is not careful during this process, the resident may fall and suffer serious injuries as a result.Improper MonitoringIf a nursing home resident has been identified as having a high fall risk, the nursing home has a duty to monitor him or her more closely to prevent falls. Nursing home staff should be available to assist the resident when needed.Medication ErrorsA nursing home resident\u2019s medication must also be closely monitored. The wrong medication or dosage can increase the resident\u2019s likelihood of falling. A bad combination of drugs can have a similar effect.Defective EquipmentIn some situations, the quality of care a nursing home\u2019s staff provides is not in question. However, there may be medical equipment that is defective. For example, a wheelchair or walker may not work properly and may cause the resident to fall. In these types of situations, a product liability claim may be an option.Find Out if You Have a CaseFalls often have serious consequences. A nursing home resident can suffer from internal bleeding, a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or other serious injury that can have lasting effects. Such consequences can significantly and adversely affect the resident\u2019s quality of life.If you suspect that your loved one\u2019s fall was caused by a negligent nursing home, let our experienced personal injury attorneys help you with your claim. We hold negligent nursing homes accountable and pursue maximum compensation for all claims.Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"When are Nursing Homes Liable for Injuries from Falls?","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/when-are-nursing-homes-liable-for-injuries-from-falls\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]